Surface-treating machine



March 26, 1963 C, G, MATSON 3,082,668

SURFACE-TREATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20. 1959 ATTORNEY nite tritate Thisinvention relates to a surface-treating machine 4and more particularlyto a machine such as a roller for use in compacting or otherwisetreating such surfaces as roads, highways, airstrips and the like.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved machineof the character referred to which combines the action of a roller orequivalent means with additional means for generating forces augmentingthe action of the roller or the like. Specifically, the machinecomprises a mobile main frame advanceable over the surface to be treatedand propelling therewith a roller or equivalent element which rides overthe surface. In the past, surfaces of this character were treated byrollers or equivalent means possessing substantial weight so that thenecessary compaction of the surface could be achieved. According to thepresent invention, the roller or equivalent means may -be maderelatively lighter by augmenting the action thereof with vibrator meansoperative to create forces radially of the aXis of the roller orotherwise generally perpendicular to the surface to be treated.Primarily, the generation of forces should be such as to besubstantially vertically so that the vertical compacting action 0f theroller is augmented by the additional forces generated by the vibratormeans.

It is a signilicant object of the invention to provide the machine inthe form of a mobile main frame having wheels carrying the main frameover the surface, together with a sub-frame which serves to connect theroller to the main frame. The power plant for driving the vibrator meansis located on the main frame and the vibrator means is carried by thesub-frame. It is a further object to locate the vibrator means withinthe roller, which is hollow for` that purpose. Specific objects of theinvention reside in improved means for driving the roller-housedvibrator means; means for mounting the roller on the main frame; meansfor locking the roller and subor secondary frame in a transportposition; a novel arrangement of weights and shafts, geared together inthe vibrator means; a novel arrangement of drum or roller componentswhereby the drum or roller may be readily assembled and disassembled;and an improved overall construction in which the roller is simplyconstructed yet readily excludes dirt and other foreign matter while thevibrator means is thus protected and contains, at least to a largeextent, its own lubrication system whereby lubricant used in thevibrator means is prevented from escaping exteriorly of the roller.

The foregoing and other important objects and desirable featuresinherent in and encompassed by the invention will become apparent as apreferred embodiment thereof is disclosed, by way of example, in theensuing description and accompanying sheet of drawings, the severalfigures of which are described below.

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred type of machine.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the same.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse section, with portions broken away,as seen generally along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE -5 is a section on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of representative means forsecuring the transport position of the roller and sub-frame.

Ed Patented Mar.. 26, 15.553

As best seen in FIGURES l and 2, the machine comprises a mobile mainframe indicated in its entirety by the numeral liti. This frame has aforward centrally located draw bar or tongue 12 and opposite side barsor frame members it, Each of the bars 14 carries a stub axle 16 on whichis journaled a ground, or surfaceengaging wheel i8. The wheels arecoaxially arranged and support 'the frame l@ for advance over whateversurface is to 1be treated, a representation of which is suggested by theline 26B in FIGURE 1. The frame may be connected to a tractor, truck orother draft vehicle and it is normally intended to be drawn forwardly bythe tongue ft2. However, this is a mere detail, since the machine may bemoved, if desired, in the opposite direction.

Associated with the main frame iti is a subor secondary frame 22, madeup of a pair of side bars 24 and a transverse or cross bar 26 whichrigidly interconnects the side bars .short of their forward ends,leaving the forward ends projecting for pivotal connection at 28, 28 tothe proximate portions of the main frame i0. The pivots 28, 2S arecoaxial and connect the sub-frame 22 to the main frame it) so Ithat thetwo frames normally advance together, but the sub-frame is capable ofVertical movement relative to the main frame about the axis through 23,y2,3. In other words, the means 2S, 2S is a flexible or articulateconnection. 'I'he bars 24- lie respectively closely inwardly of the mainframe bars 14 and carry therebetween a ygroundor surface-contactingelement in the form of a hollow drum or roller 3). The details ofconstruction of the drum will be set forth later.A For the present,suffice it to say that the drum is journaled on the secondary frame 24to rotate about a transverse horizontal axis established at or bysupporting connections 32, 32 at opposite ends of the drum.

From the description thus far, it will be seen that the main frame l@ issupported on its wheels 18 and on whatever draft vehicle or appliance isutilized, and that the sub-frame, journaling the roller 39, has verticalrelative movement about the axis 23, 23, the roller 30, of course,riding on or rolling over the surface 2? as the machine advances. If theweight of the roller is sufficient lto achieve the necessary compactionor other treatment, the machine may be regarded as satisfactory.However, the addition of Weight to the roller creates problems entailingincreased cost, lower operating eiciency and the like. Accordingly, thepresent invention has been provided to overcome these problems in asimple and economical manner and at the same time in such lway as toachieve more highly desirable results.

The drum or roller 3i?, as best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, comprises `acylindrical casing 34 and opposite end walls 36 and 3S. The end of thedrum at which the wall 3o is located carries rigidly thereon a circularring di?, which is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the innersurface of the casing or annular wall 3d. The opposite end of the drumcarries a similar ring 4,2, which is likewise rigidly .associated withthe casing or annular wall at that end. The end wall 35 is removablysecured to the inside of the ring di), as by a plurality of cap screws4d; fand the end wall 3S is secured to the outside of the other ring 42as by a plurality of cap screws d5. The inside diameter of the ring ilis larger than that of the ring iti; or, stated otherwise, the insidediameter of the ring 42 is large enough to pass the end wall 36 but issmaller than the outside diameter of the end wall 33. The reason forthis is that the two end walls are normally preliminarily assembled to asupport 48 which carries vibrator means Si), and the casing 3d is thenassembled over the unit i3-JG, being moved axially onto the unit fromleft to right as seen in FiG. 3. Hence, the vibrator means 5t) isassociated with the secondary frame 22 by being located interiorly of orhoused by the hollow roller or drum 30. The construction of the supportmeans 4S and vibrator means 50 will be described below.

iThe support 48 has opposite side members or parts 52 yand 54, locatedrespectively adjacent to and inwardly of the drum and walls 36 and 38.The end parts 52 and 54 are substantially identical, althoughsymmetrically arranged, and are rigidly cross-connected by upper andlower transverse members 56 and SS. Each of these members is preferablyof box section as shown in FIGURE 5; although, they may be otherwiseconstructed. The cross members are rigidly but removably secured -to theend members, as by bolts 6) which are accessible through cut-outs 56',58', respectively in the cross members (FIGURE 4). The end member orpart 52 is preferably formed of a pair of steel plates welded togetherby appropriate spacers, and each plate is centrally apertured tocoaxially receive therein a collar or ring 62, welded therein orotherwise rigidly secured thereto. A similar construction, repeated inthe end member or part 54, includes, welded thereto, a similar collar orring 64. rhe end walls 36 and 38 of the drum respectively have coaxialapertures therein, respectively fitted with collars or rings 66 and 68,welded thereto. Each of the rings 66 and 63 carries internally thereof abearing or bushing as at 'l0 and 72, and shouldered sleeves '74 and 76,coaxial with and rigidly secured respectively to the rings 62 and 64,and thus in effect parts of the end members 52 and 54, are receivedrespectively in the bushings or bearings 7i? and 72, being normallyfixed by set screws 78 whereby the support means 4S is carried by theend walls of the drum 3ft in a selected xed position so that the drummay rotate as it rolls over the ground while the support means remainsfixed as to its position within the drum, since it is connected to thesubframe 22 and normally occupies a generally upright position as shownin FIGURES 4 and 5; although, as will be brought out below, the positionof the support means may be changed within the drum. For this purpose,the portions of the shouldered sleeves 74 and 76, which are fixedrespectively to the rings 62 and 64 and which extend outwardly throughthe end walls 36 and 38 of the drum, are received respectively by thepreviously described connections 32 on the rear ends of the frame bars24 of the sub-frame 22. Each of these connections includes lock means,here in the form of a set screw 78 by means of which the support means43 may be locked to the sub-frame bars 24 so as to prevent rotation ofthe support means 48 while permitting the roller to roll along thesurface 21D. This connects the support and vibrator means unit Si) tothe subframe, since the sleeves 74 and 76 are xed to the rings 62 and 64and these rings are in turn fixed to the ends 52 and 54 of the support48. If it is desired to change the angular position of the support meansabout the axis of the drum, the set screws 73 may be loosened and thenew position achieved, after which the set screws may be tightened. Asindicated, the set screws may be provided with lock nuts to improve thesecuring action.

The support means rings or collars 62 and 64 carry appropriateanti-friction bearings 80 for journaling a central shaft 82, one end ofwhich projects axially outwardly through the hollow sleeve 74 to carry amultiplebelt sheave S4. Drive means, here in the form of an internalcombustion engine 86, is carried on the main frame '10 exclusively ofthe sub-frame 22. This drive means has an output or drive shaft 88 towhich is keyed or otherwise xed a multiple-belt sheave 90. A pluralityof drive belts 92 afford means for drivingly interconnecting the sheaves90 and 84, whereby the shaft 82 is driven from the power plant or drivemeans S6. It will be noted that the pivot axis 28, 28 is sufficientlyclose to the center of the drive shaft 83 as to enable vertical movementof the sub-frame and roller relative to the main frame without seriouslyaffecting the drive. Consequently, the subframe and roller may havesubstantial vertical movement relative to the main frame. As a matter offact, the subframe and roller may be locked in a transport position(broken lines, FIGURE l) in which the sub-frame is raised sufficientlyto clear the roller from the surface 20. For this purpose, the mainframe and sub-frame have cooperative means, here in the form ofapertured ears or members 94 and 96, welded or otherwise mountedrespectively on the parts 14 and 24 and through which releasable lockingmeans, such as bolts 9S (FIGURE 6), may be passed to achieve thetransport position. This is merely representative of any form of meansthat could be used in obtaining the transport position indicated. In anyevent, the transport position of the roller facilitates rapid travel ofthe machine over highways and the like when the roller is not in use.

lIn addition to the welded-end collars 62 and 64, the end members 52`and S4 respectively carry other and similar collars 16). Havingreference to FIGURE 3, it will be noted that the upper pair of collarsare coaxially alined on an axis parallel to the axis of the centralshaft 82 and spaced a certain distance therefrom. These upper collarsrespectively carry suitable anti-friction bearings for journaling asecond shaft 162. The lower coaxially alined collars are alsoestablished on an axis parallel to the axis of the shaft 82 and carrysuitable anti-friction bearings, as indicated, for supporting a thirdshaft 104. The axis of the shaft 11M is diametrically opposed to that ofthe shaft 192 as respects the axis ofthe central shaft 82. In otherwords, as best seen in FIG- URE 4, the three shafts 82, 102 and 104 arelocated on a common diameter. The three shafts, bearings, etc., are allassembled in the support means 4E before the support means is assembledinto the drum. The prior assembly carries the end wall 36 and 33 of thedrum so that the assembly just described can be inserted axially intothe drum from the right as seen in FIGURE 3. It is for this reason thatthe interior diameter of the ring 42 at the right hand end of the drumis large enough to pass the end wall 36, which is ultimately secured, aspreviously described, to the opposite ring 4d by the cap screws 44. Thelarger diameter of the end wall 38 enables it to stop at and outside ofthe ring 42 to be secured thereto by the previously described cap screws46.

The shaft 82 is an input shaft, driven by the drive means previouslydescribed, and the input is transmitted to the shafts 102 and 104 bygear means including gears 136, 103 and 110, keyed respectively to theshafts 32, 102 and 104. Since the gear 166 is in constant mesh with bothgears 108 and 116, and since the gears are all of the same size, theshafts 102 and 164 will `be driven by the shaft 82 but in a directionopposite to the direction of rotation of the shaft 82. All shafts will,of course, rotate at the same speed. For example, if it is assumed (FIG-URE 4) that the shaft 82 rotates clockwise, then both shafts 102 and 104will rotate counterclockwise but at the same speed. i

.The shaft 102 carries a plurality of weight means at 112, here four innumber. A set of similar weights, as to size and number, is carried bythe shaft 104 at 114. A double set of similar weights 116 is carried bythe central shaft 82. In other words, the central shaft 82 carries eightweights 116, and each of the shafts 162 and 104 carries four weights at112 and 114, which, added together, equal the number of weights on theshaft 82. Since all weights are of the same size and are timed andlocated as indicated in FIGURE 4, operation of the vibrator means Stiwill create forces effective only along the diameter on which the shaftslie. Thus, as seen in FIG- URE 4, all weights 112, 114 and 116 are inpendant positions. Consequently, as the shafts rotate and the weights116 swing, say, to the left, the weights 112 and 114 will swing to theright. Since the number of weights on the shaft S2 is equal to thecombined number of weights on the shafts 102 and 104, the weights andforces Will balance each other so that there will be no forcestransmitted along a horizontal line. The same is true as respects anyother diameters of the drum until the phase of the weights is 180 pastthat shown in FIGURE 4, in which case all weights will throw upwardly.As the weights continue to move to the position shown in FIGURE 4, theywill again counterbalance each other and eliminate any fore-and-aftforces, until the weights attain the positions of FIGURE 4, in whichcase the combined force will be downwardly, or in opposition to thepreviously described upward force. Consequently, the effective forcesare confined to the diameter on which all shafts lie. In a selected casein which the support means 48 is set upright as shown in FIGURE 4, theseforces will augment those created by the roller as the roller is drawnover the surface 2t). That is to say, the upward iforces will tend tolift the roller `and the downward forces will tend to increase thedownward effect of the roller on the surface, thus improving compactionof the surface by the machine. As best shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, thevibrator may include means containing a reservoir of lubricant for thegearing 6-108-110. In the present case, this means may take the form ofan appropriate shield 118 having a slot 120' therein for accommodatingthe assembly thereof in the support lby receiving the several -shafts82, 102 and 104. The shield means may be appropriately secured to theupper and lower members 56 and 58, as by removable fasteners 122. Asuicient quantity of lubricant, as indicated, is contained in the bottomof the shield so that the lowermost gear 110 may dip into the lubricantand thus transfer this lubricant to the other gears. The shieldsubstantially encloses the gearing so that the oil is not thrown offinto the interior of the roller. Although expensive seals are notprovided at the junctions of the end walls 36 and 38 with theirassociated rings 40 and 42, it is nevertheless desirable to keep theroller as water-tight and dirt-tight as possible. Likewise, it isdesired to prevent lubricant escaping from the vibrator means externallyof the roller.

The machine provided according to the present inventive design iscompact, may be inexpensively constructed, and may be eiicientlyoperated. Its travel over the surface to be treated may be relativelyhigh, compared with heavy surface-treating machines heretofore known.For example, the forward travel may be in the range of three to fivemiles per hour; although, this is not intended to limit the machine tospeeds in this range. It is desired that the vibration run about twohundred cycles per minute, which is a relatively low frequency but onewhich has proven acceptable. Again, these figures should not beconstrued as limiting the invention. As previously indicated, thepresent arrangement eliminates the substantial weight of prior devicesbut the vibrator means enables the production of greater forces infoot-pounds and velocity. The transport position of the roller may bereadily achieved by placing a block, for example, ahead of the roller,and then drawing the machine ahead, whereby the roller will climb theblock to bring the lug apertures in the members 94-96 into alinement forreceipt of the bolts 9S.

Features of the invention other 4than those enumerated will readilyoccur to those versed in the art, as will many modifications andalterations in the preferred embodiment disclosed, all of which may beachieved without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

ll. In a surface-treating machine, the combinat-ion of: a roller adaptedto roll over a surface and including a cylindrical casing and oppositeend walls; support means =within the roller and having opposite sidesrespectively proximate to said end walls; means mounting the supportmeans at said sides respectively on the end walls on the axis of theroller for rotation of the roller relative to the support means; one ofthe support means sides and the proximate one of said end walls beingcoaxially apertured; a central coaxial shaft journaled in the supportmeans sides and having one end projecting axially outwardly through saidone apertured side and said one apertured end wall; a second shaftparallel to the central shaft and journaled in the support means inradially spaced relation to the central shaft; a third shaft parallel tothe central shaft and journaled in the support means diametricallyopposite the second shaft and at the same radial spacing from thecentral shaft; gear means on the shafts operative to drive the secondand third shafts from and oppositely to the central shaft; weight meanson the shafts proportioned as to weight, location and timing so as todevelop effective forces only along the diameter on which the threeshafts are located and means for selectively securing the support meansin angularly adjusted positions about the axis of the central shaft soas to change the angular position of said diameter on which the threeshafts are located.

2. In a surface-treating machine, the combination of: a roller adaptedto roll over a surface and including a cylindrical casing and oppositeend walls; support means within the roller; means mounting the supportmeans in the roller for rotation of the roller relative to the supportmeans; a central coaxial shaft journaled in the support means; a secondshaft parallel to the central shaft and journaled in the support meansin radially spaced relation to the central shaft; a third shaft parallelto the central shaft and journaled in the support means diametricallyopposite the second shaft and at the same radial spacing from thecentral shaft; gear means on the shafts operative to drive the secondand third shafts from and oppositely to the central shaft; weight meanson the shafts proportioned as to weight, location and timing so as todevelop effective forces only along the diameter on which the threeshafts are located; and means for selectively securing the support meansin angularly adjusted positions about the axis of the central shaft soas to change the angular position of said diameter on which the threeshafts are located.

3. A surface-treating machine, comprising: a main frame having wheelsfor carrying said frame over a surface to be treated; a secondary framehaving front and rear ends and articulately connected to said main framefor advance therewith and for vertical movement of one end of saidsecondary frame relative to said main frame; a surface-contacting rollerhaving means coaxially journalling same on said secondary frame adjacentto said one end to rise and falll with sai-d one end and adapted to rollover the surface as said frames advance, said journaling means beingaxially hollow; vibrator means carried by and within the roller andincluding a support part and a movable part rotatable on said supportpart on an axis parallel to the roller axis to create forces actingalong a diameter of said roller which includes the roller axis and theaxis of said movable part to augment the action of said roller on thesurface; means adjustably interconnecting the secondary frame and saidsupport part for selectively xing said support part -in various angularpositions about the axis of said roller so as to vary the angularposition of the aforesaid diameter through which said forces act; drivemeans on the main frame; and means extending through said hollowjournaling means and drivingly interconnecting said drive means and saidmovable par-t.

4. A surface-treating machine, comprising: a mobile frame; asurface-engaging element connected to the frame for advance therewithand comprising a hollow drum having a cylindrical casing and oppositeend walls, one of said walls being axially apertured; coaxial meansrespectively on said end walls and journaling the drum on the frame, oneof said coaxial means being axially hollow and disposed coaxiallyadjacent to said apertured wall; vibrator means contained within thedrum and including a suppor-t and drivable means mounted on said supportfor rotation about an axis eccentric and parallel to the drum `axis forcreating forces acting along a diameter passing through said axes, saidsupport having members thereon coaxial with and respectively proximateto and journaled on the coaxial means to carry the support within thedrum for rotation of the drum relative to the support, one of saidmembers being hollow and projecting axially outwardly of the drumthrough the hollow coaxial means; adjustable means cooperative betweenthe frame and the hollow member for selectively securing the support invarious angular positions about the drum axis so as to vary the angularposition of the diameter along which said forces act; drive means on theframe; and a drive shaft connected to the drivable means within the drumand extending outwardly through said hollow member and connected to thedrive means.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS BailyJuly 15, 1941 Kerridge Mar. 9, 1954 Wood May 11, 1954 Green May 15, 1956Bjorkman Feb. 24, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Apr. 24, 1931 GreatBritain Jan. 15, 1958 Great Britain Sept. 3, -1958 Great Britain Sept.10, 1958

1. IN A SURFACE-TREATING MACHINE, THE COMBINATION OF: A ROLLER ADAPTEDTO ROLL OVER A SURFACE AND INCLUDING A CYLINDRICAL CASING AND OPPOSITEEND WALLS; SUPPORT MEANS WITHIN THE ROLLER AND HAVING OPPOSITE SIDESRESPECTIVELY PROXIMATE TO SAID END WALLS; MEANS MOUNTING THE SUPPORTMEANS AT SAID SIDES RESPECTIVELY ON THE END WALLS ON THE AXIS OF THEROLLER FOR ROTATION OF THE ROLLER RELATIVE TO THE SUPPORT MEANS; ONE OFTHE SUPPORT MEANS SIDES AND THE PROXIMATE ONE OF SAID END WALLS BEINGCOAXIALLY APERTURED; A CENTRAL COAXIAL SHAFT JOURNALED IN THE SUPPORTMEANS SIDES AND HAVING ONE END PROJECTING AXIALLY OUTWARDLY THROUGH SAIDOEN APERTURED SIDE AND SAID ONE APERTURED END WALL; A SECOND SHAFTPARALLEL TO THE CENTRAL SHAFT AND JOURNALED IN THE SUPPORT MEANS INRADIALLY SPACED RELATION TO THE CENTRAL SHAFT; A THIRD SHAFT PARALLEL TOTHE CENTRAL SHAFT AND JOURNALED IN THE SUPPORT MEANS DIAMETRICALLYOPPOSITE THE SECOND SHAFT AND AT THE SAME RADIAL SPACING FROM THECENTRAL SHAFT; GEAR MEANS ON THE SHAFTS OPERATIVE TO DRIVE THE SECONDAND THIRD SHAFTS FROM AND OPPOSITELY TO THE CENTRAL SHAFT; WEIGHT MEANSON THE SHAFTS PROPORTIONED AS TO WEIGHT, LOCATION AND TIMING SO AS TODEVELOP EFFECTIVE FORCES ONLY ALONG THE DIAMETER ON WHICH THE THREESHAFTS ARE LOCATED AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY SECURING THE SUPPORT MEANSIN ANGULARLY ADJUSTED POSITIONS ABOUT THE AXIS OF THE CENTRAL SHAFT SOAS TO CHANGE THE ANGULAR POSITION OF SAID DIAMETER ON WHICH THE THREESHAFTS ARE LOCATED.